23rd April 2000

Truth of all truths!

The Ambassador categorically states that the Sciences Po is part of the University of Paris, and that entry to it is equivalent to entering the University of Paris which is generally called the Sorbonne University. She also says that there is no difference between a diploma and a degree because the degrees awarded by French Universities are called diplomas in France and that the President's diploma is technically equivalent to a BA degree and that it is equivalent to a MA degree when considered for employment.

Europa publication, a London firm, publishes a directory in two volumes entitled 'The World of Learning' about Universities and other institutions of higher education. Its directory for 1975-76 contains in its first volume a long account of Universities and other institutions of higher education. According to it there were 68 state Universities in France in that year. There were 13 Universities called University de Paris I, II, III and so on. Of them as many as 12, excluding University de Paris XII were under the same Vice Chancellor. Sciences Po and Ecole des hunte etudier en Sciences Sociales, the two institutions in which the President is said to have had her education are not included in the directory of Universities in France. Under the various Universities listed there is also a list of affiliated institutions, but the two institutions in which the President had studied are not listed even as affiliated institutions.

However, the list of State Colleges and Institutions contain the names of the two institutions in which the President is said to have studied. The details given under those two institutions too do not say that they are affiliated to any University. The institution called Ecole Des Hantes Etudes En Sciences Sociales at 547, Rue De Veranne Paris was, until 1974, part of Ecole Pratique Deshant es Etudes which is under College De France.

There is in France too as in other countries a system of educational institutions for those without the fundamental requirements for entry into a University to receive higher education. It is such alternative educational institutions which are called Ecole. Although a diploma from an Ecole and a degree from a University are not the same, there is a limited scheme in France, as in other countries, which permits clever persons from amongst the diploma holders too to sit higher examinations. The following illustrates that a degree from a University and a diploma from Ecole are not of the same level.

The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (O.E.C.D.) has published an Inventory of Training Possibilities which gives details about training institutions in Europe and it also contains information about post-graduate courses of study. In giving the necessary qualifications for following a three-year post graduate degree course on nuclear energy conducted by the Atomic Energy Board of France that publication had clearly set out the difference between a diploma from an Ecole and a degree from a University. Only those with a University degree for either Nuclear Physics or Solid State Physics can apply to follow the course. However, the publication says those with passes in these subjects from Granes Ecoles too can apply for the course but the final decision on selecting them for the course will be taken by a special board. This fact alone shows quite well that there is no equal acceptance for a University degree and a diploma from Ecoles in that country.

The Ambassador's statement that France considers as important the knowledge imparted through education rather than paper qualifications, too manifests that in the final analysis what is important is knowledge. However, it is the paper certificates that certify the level a person has passed in the education that gives that knowledge. A system in which a person who has received an education of a certain level and wants to apply for a higher level of education has to produce a paper certificate to show that he has the qualifications, exists not only in Sri Lanka but also in France. Does not Alliance Francais issue a certificate to a student when he completes a course. If it does what is expected of it?

If the people of France get an opportunity to read this statement of the Ambassador it will probably surprise them.

The Special Report

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